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zarahjoyce) wrote2012-09-10 11:05 pm
zarahjoyce) wrote2012-09-10 11:05 pm
Entry tags:
KRF Fic: Questions
Rating: G
Summary: But... your heart is as weak as ever. What did that mean, anyway?
Notes: This happens mid ep 45, because I want this issue to be addressed somehow :P
Their plan was set. Kengo and JK would go to Emoto's office to search for clues as to why the late Professor was intent on stopping the Chairman from meeting the Presenters yet he himself was actively collecting the switches as Virgo - and if, somehow, he had found a way to stop Gamou from fulfilling his plans. The rest of the club would go to a safe place and protect Ran as best as they could, which was why both Gentarou and Ryusei would be coming with them; in case Leo attacked again, at least both Fourze and Meteor would be there to try and keep him from forcing Ran to become Pisces.
However, where they should keep Ran was still under discussion. Yuuki ruled out the house of Gentarou's grandfather, even if Gentarou himself volunteered it. JK was actively giving out suggestions, while Miu and Shun shot each of them down.
Standing a bit apart from the group, Ryusei felt the Libra switch in his pocket and grimaced. It had seemed so light, when Hayami handed it to him - yet now it sat heavily in his jacket, as if it was carrying the full weight of the guilt of its user. Hayami himself sat on the corner of the room, body bent as he cradled his head in his palms. He was the one who chose not to join the club's conversation; as soon as it was decided that he was going with Kengo and JK, Hayami had excluded himself from all talks among the group. It was better that way, Ryusei thought. He wasn't yet sure if he fully trusted Libra.
Unbidden, the memory of them fighting at Subaraboshi flashed in his mind. Ryusei had gone back to his old school per Tachibana's orders, saw Libra there, fought him - and would have easily defeated him had the Horoscope refrained from assuming Tomoko's form. It was a bold, unexpected move, and the worst thing about it was that it worked - it rattled Ryusei enough that Libra as Tomoko was able to land a few hits before dodging away.
But... your heart is as weak as ever.
What did that mean, anyway?
A movement on the side caught his eye, and Ryusei turned to see Tomoko standing by the door, clutching a bottle of water while staring uncertainly at their principal. Ryusei frowned; he hadn't even realized that she had left his side, much less grabbed something from outside. She should have said something! Good thing nothing untoward happened to her.
Since the discussion was still ongoing, Ryusei quietly excused himself and walked towards the girl. From the way she was squinting her eyes Tomoko seemed to be intensely scrutinizing their principal. Perhaps she was also unsure of his change of heart, like Ryusei was?
"Tomoko-chan."
Startled, she jumped slightly and looked up at him. "Ryusei-san."
He inclined his head - an apology for surprising her. "What do you think? Can you read anything from his..." He paused, as he searched for the right word, "--aura?" Ryusei wasn't sure he believed in all the things she believed in, but he couldn't deny that her senses were sharp and keen enough to impress even him.
He might not believe what she believed in, but he believed in her.
Tomoko bit her lip and slowly shook her head. "It's all very... blurred. Maybe if I get closer to him I could--"
"Don't."
She glanced at him again, furrowed her brows, obviously confused - not that he could blame her. Even Ryusei was surprised at his vehemence. But Hayami was still their enemy, wasn't he? Even if he was essentially quite powerless now. Who knew what he's still capable of doing?
"I just--" Ryusei made a frustrated sound at the back of his throat, crossed his arms defensively, looked anywhere but at her. "I meant--"
"Ryusei-san." Tomoko laid a hand on his arm, still cold from holding the water bottle, and said softly, "I'll be safe enough, because you're here. You can come with me, if you want?"
Like hell he wasn't. He uncrossed his arms and stared resolutely onward, unwilling to say another word because he didn't know what to say.
"But..." She shook her head. " That might not be necessary, since I...I don't think I can read anything from him, even if I tried. There's something about him... I-- I couldn't put my finger on it." Tomoko sighed, then looked at Ryusei. "Maybe it's wrong of me to even doubt him, but... Do you believe him, Ryusei-san?"
This, at least, was something he could answer. Ryusei shoved his hands into his pockets. "Gentarou seems to," he replied. It wasn't a straightforward answer, but it was close enough. Gentarou seemed to trust Hayami, thus Ryusei was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Even if his gut was telling him otherwise.
Tomoko nodded, apparently satisfied. It was an acceptable answer; after all, even the rest of the club was willing to accept Hayami because Gentarou did. It was just how the Kamen Rider Club worked.
She paused, glanced towards where the others were still talking, then handed Ryusei the bottle. "Will you give this to him for me, Ryusei-san? JK... needs my support."
Ryusei raised his brows, glanced at their friend in question - and saw that his face was crumpled and he was whimpering pathetically, apparently having run out of places to suggest and was getting berated for it. Ryusei shrugged and took the bottle from her, and she gave him a hint of a smile before joining the others in their discussion.
Wordlessly, Ryusei strode towards Hayami, then offered the bottle to him. The Principal looked up - as if surprised to see someone there - and spotting the water bottle he nodded his thanks and took it.
"We're not yet set?" Hayami asked, as he wiped his mouth after drinking.
"No." And that was all Ryusei was willing to give him.
"I see." He glanced towards the group and smiled. Gentarou and Miu seemed to have gotten into a heated debate, and neither side was willing to back down. "Quite a boisterous group you have there."
Was it meant to be a compliment? Ryusei wasn't sure. He shrugged after a cursory glance at Gentarou and the others. "That's just how they are."
"But not you." Hayami smiled a bit at him, before lifting the water bottle to his lips again. "Nozama-san, too. You both are the quiet types, aren't you?"
Ryusei stiffened, his jaw tightening - though outwardly he tried not to show much reaction. Doing so would indicate weakness, and he wasn't willing to show anything of the sort. "Friends don't have to be quite similar in temperament to be friends," he said. As an afterthought, Ryusei added, "Not that you would know about that, Principal Hayami - would you?"
Hayami winced then laughed aloud - surprising Ryusei, who expected a different sort of reaction. "No. No, I wouldn't." He took another sip. After a few moments, he looked up at Ryusei again. "I imagine you have a question, Sakuta-san? Otherwise I don't think you'd stay there for as long as you have. Unless you intend to guard me?"
Perhaps he shouldn't ask. Perhaps he shouldn't even bring it up. But Ryusei was bugged by that incident ever since it occurred and he couldn't help but wonder-- "That day, at Subaraboshi." Did Hayami even remember it? Maybe he didn't. Maybe--
But Hayami quirked an eyebrow upwards, then quite blatantly glanced at Gentarou's group - at Tomoko - and chuckled, which irritated Ryusei to no end. "What's so funny?"
Hayami lowered the water bottle to the floor and stood. "I thought you were going to ask about that."
Ryusei's hands curled to fists, kept himself from hitting Hayami then and there. So he did remember - and Ryusei wasn't sure if he was glad or annoyed by it. But... your heart is as weak as ever. "What did you mean, back then?"
There was a smirk playing about Hayami's face, and how Ryusei hated the self-satisfied look on him. He was about to repeat his question, when Hayami finally opened his mouth and said, "Cygnus."
That Zodiarts - the one who used Tomoko as a human shield several times during their fight. "You were there."
"Ah." For a moment Hayami looked completely different from the guilt-stricken man sitting where he was now. "I thought it was interesting, how a Kamen Rider who proclaimed himself an enemy of Fourze wasn't willing to harm Fourze's friends. I thought, if Meteor was really intent on being an enemy, then his heart should have been hardened against such... weaknesses. Hurting anyone shouldn't be any problem for him, no matter who it was used against him - especially if they were his enemy's ally." Hayami smiled again. "It was an observation that proved very useful, in my encounter with you." He paused again. "Wouldn't you agree, Sakuta-san?"
Ryusei blinked, unable to form a rebuttal to that.
But he didn't have to, because at that moment Tomoko approached them and said, "Kengo-san said that you will be leaving in a few minutes, Principal Hayami."
"Is that so?" Hayami smiled benignly at Tomoko, then walked towards her and lightly touched her arm. "Thank you, Nozama-san." He then glanced at Ryusei for a moment before walking away.
Summary: But... your heart is as weak as ever. What did that mean, anyway?
Notes: This happens mid ep 45, because I want this issue to be addressed somehow :P
Their plan was set. Kengo and JK would go to Emoto's office to search for clues as to why the late Professor was intent on stopping the Chairman from meeting the Presenters yet he himself was actively collecting the switches as Virgo - and if, somehow, he had found a way to stop Gamou from fulfilling his plans. The rest of the club would go to a safe place and protect Ran as best as they could, which was why both Gentarou and Ryusei would be coming with them; in case Leo attacked again, at least both Fourze and Meteor would be there to try and keep him from forcing Ran to become Pisces.
However, where they should keep Ran was still under discussion. Yuuki ruled out the house of Gentarou's grandfather, even if Gentarou himself volunteered it. JK was actively giving out suggestions, while Miu and Shun shot each of them down.
Standing a bit apart from the group, Ryusei felt the Libra switch in his pocket and grimaced. It had seemed so light, when Hayami handed it to him - yet now it sat heavily in his jacket, as if it was carrying the full weight of the guilt of its user. Hayami himself sat on the corner of the room, body bent as he cradled his head in his palms. He was the one who chose not to join the club's conversation; as soon as it was decided that he was going with Kengo and JK, Hayami had excluded himself from all talks among the group. It was better that way, Ryusei thought. He wasn't yet sure if he fully trusted Libra.
Unbidden, the memory of them fighting at Subaraboshi flashed in his mind. Ryusei had gone back to his old school per Tachibana's orders, saw Libra there, fought him - and would have easily defeated him had the Horoscope refrained from assuming Tomoko's form. It was a bold, unexpected move, and the worst thing about it was that it worked - it rattled Ryusei enough that Libra as Tomoko was able to land a few hits before dodging away.
But... your heart is as weak as ever.
What did that mean, anyway?
A movement on the side caught his eye, and Ryusei turned to see Tomoko standing by the door, clutching a bottle of water while staring uncertainly at their principal. Ryusei frowned; he hadn't even realized that she had left his side, much less grabbed something from outside. She should have said something! Good thing nothing untoward happened to her.
Since the discussion was still ongoing, Ryusei quietly excused himself and walked towards the girl. From the way she was squinting her eyes Tomoko seemed to be intensely scrutinizing their principal. Perhaps she was also unsure of his change of heart, like Ryusei was?
"Tomoko-chan."
Startled, she jumped slightly and looked up at him. "Ryusei-san."
He inclined his head - an apology for surprising her. "What do you think? Can you read anything from his..." He paused, as he searched for the right word, "--aura?" Ryusei wasn't sure he believed in all the things she believed in, but he couldn't deny that her senses were sharp and keen enough to impress even him.
He might not believe what she believed in, but he believed in her.
Tomoko bit her lip and slowly shook her head. "It's all very... blurred. Maybe if I get closer to him I could--"
"Don't."
She glanced at him again, furrowed her brows, obviously confused - not that he could blame her. Even Ryusei was surprised at his vehemence. But Hayami was still their enemy, wasn't he? Even if he was essentially quite powerless now. Who knew what he's still capable of doing?
"I just--" Ryusei made a frustrated sound at the back of his throat, crossed his arms defensively, looked anywhere but at her. "I meant--"
"Ryusei-san." Tomoko laid a hand on his arm, still cold from holding the water bottle, and said softly, "I'll be safe enough, because you're here. You can come with me, if you want?"
Like hell he wasn't. He uncrossed his arms and stared resolutely onward, unwilling to say another word because he didn't know what to say.
"But..." She shook her head. " That might not be necessary, since I...I don't think I can read anything from him, even if I tried. There's something about him... I-- I couldn't put my finger on it." Tomoko sighed, then looked at Ryusei. "Maybe it's wrong of me to even doubt him, but... Do you believe him, Ryusei-san?"
This, at least, was something he could answer. Ryusei shoved his hands into his pockets. "Gentarou seems to," he replied. It wasn't a straightforward answer, but it was close enough. Gentarou seemed to trust Hayami, thus Ryusei was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Even if his gut was telling him otherwise.
Tomoko nodded, apparently satisfied. It was an acceptable answer; after all, even the rest of the club was willing to accept Hayami because Gentarou did. It was just how the Kamen Rider Club worked.
She paused, glanced towards where the others were still talking, then handed Ryusei the bottle. "Will you give this to him for me, Ryusei-san? JK... needs my support."
Ryusei raised his brows, glanced at their friend in question - and saw that his face was crumpled and he was whimpering pathetically, apparently having run out of places to suggest and was getting berated for it. Ryusei shrugged and took the bottle from her, and she gave him a hint of a smile before joining the others in their discussion.
Wordlessly, Ryusei strode towards Hayami, then offered the bottle to him. The Principal looked up - as if surprised to see someone there - and spotting the water bottle he nodded his thanks and took it.
"We're not yet set?" Hayami asked, as he wiped his mouth after drinking.
"No." And that was all Ryusei was willing to give him.
"I see." He glanced towards the group and smiled. Gentarou and Miu seemed to have gotten into a heated debate, and neither side was willing to back down. "Quite a boisterous group you have there."
Was it meant to be a compliment? Ryusei wasn't sure. He shrugged after a cursory glance at Gentarou and the others. "That's just how they are."
"But not you." Hayami smiled a bit at him, before lifting the water bottle to his lips again. "Nozama-san, too. You both are the quiet types, aren't you?"
Ryusei stiffened, his jaw tightening - though outwardly he tried not to show much reaction. Doing so would indicate weakness, and he wasn't willing to show anything of the sort. "Friends don't have to be quite similar in temperament to be friends," he said. As an afterthought, Ryusei added, "Not that you would know about that, Principal Hayami - would you?"
Hayami winced then laughed aloud - surprising Ryusei, who expected a different sort of reaction. "No. No, I wouldn't." He took another sip. After a few moments, he looked up at Ryusei again. "I imagine you have a question, Sakuta-san? Otherwise I don't think you'd stay there for as long as you have. Unless you intend to guard me?"
Perhaps he shouldn't ask. Perhaps he shouldn't even bring it up. But Ryusei was bugged by that incident ever since it occurred and he couldn't help but wonder-- "That day, at Subaraboshi." Did Hayami even remember it? Maybe he didn't. Maybe--
But Hayami quirked an eyebrow upwards, then quite blatantly glanced at Gentarou's group - at Tomoko - and chuckled, which irritated Ryusei to no end. "What's so funny?"
Hayami lowered the water bottle to the floor and stood. "I thought you were going to ask about that."
Ryusei's hands curled to fists, kept himself from hitting Hayami then and there. So he did remember - and Ryusei wasn't sure if he was glad or annoyed by it. But... your heart is as weak as ever. "What did you mean, back then?"
There was a smirk playing about Hayami's face, and how Ryusei hated the self-satisfied look on him. He was about to repeat his question, when Hayami finally opened his mouth and said, "Cygnus."
That Zodiarts - the one who used Tomoko as a human shield several times during their fight. "You were there."
"Ah." For a moment Hayami looked completely different from the guilt-stricken man sitting where he was now. "I thought it was interesting, how a Kamen Rider who proclaimed himself an enemy of Fourze wasn't willing to harm Fourze's friends. I thought, if Meteor was really intent on being an enemy, then his heart should have been hardened against such... weaknesses. Hurting anyone shouldn't be any problem for him, no matter who it was used against him - especially if they were his enemy's ally." Hayami smiled again. "It was an observation that proved very useful, in my encounter with you." He paused again. "Wouldn't you agree, Sakuta-san?"
Ryusei blinked, unable to form a rebuttal to that.
But he didn't have to, because at that moment Tomoko approached them and said, "Kengo-san said that you will be leaving in a few minutes, Principal Hayami."
"Is that so?" Hayami smiled benignly at Tomoko, then walked towards her and lightly touched her arm. "Thank you, Nozama-san." He then glanced at Ryusei for a moment before walking away.